Since I'm currently on vacation in Hawaii, traveling with family members who typically do not travel, it has become clear that travel tips I take for granted can be quite helpful - more than I realized previously. Keep lists - it is easy to forget things that seemed obvious [...]
Lately, I've worked on or have seen several projects that have lacked significant follow-up, and it was apparent how critical this step is to achieving results and so I'm devoting a lead article to the subject. The best plans are useless without follow through and follow-up. I've found it [...]
Lately, I've had my fare share of "dealing with difficult people". Although it is good to keep one on their toes, it also makes you take a step back and think about strategies for improvement: Listen - as much as it's possible that what is being said doesn't make [...]
I was teased recently of relating everything back to leadership, and I realized it is true - "it begins and ends with leadership" (as my HR mentor says). A few of the important qualities of leadership: Communicate /Listen - The '80/20' of leadership is communication. Communicate frequently, tell what [...]
I've noticed that the companies that focus on people have long term success; however, I've been frustrated that many times this pattern and reason aren't obvious to those inside the business at the time. Then, years later with lower profitability and diminished sales growth, they wonder what has gone [...]
In today's business environment, lifetime employment is a scarcity. Instead, the focus is on continually maintaining and improving your marketability. Read the business bestseller list - it is important to stay abreast of the latest concepts and business thinking. It is also helpful to look at it from the [...]
As it is New Year's Eve, it seemed appropriate to discuss New Year's resolutions. I've never been fond of New Year's resolutions because I always thought that if I should do something, why wait until the magic day (the New Year)? However, in thinking about this topic in relation [...]
As we seem to be heading into (if we aren't already in) a recession, I thought an appropriate topic would be business and financial literacy, as it is one of the key skills that will help in the survival (and even thriving) through a recession. Keep up with the [...]
To continue on the theme of the current tough business climate, it is critical that businesses are able to continually improve to become and remain competitive. Training is a key component in this process. However, concepts alone are not enough. It is important to understand the concepts and apply [...]
When considering the question, would you choose the million dollar idea/ process/ technology or people, I've found that 98%+ choose the million dollar idea. After all, it seems, why not? Of course, this is an exaggerated example, as we make countless decisions every day related to seemingly smaller dollar [...]
